The Color of My Words

This book is amazing. I bought enough copies to use as a classroom novel because this is an OUTSTANDING story. The added bonus is its rich demonstration of the beauty and power of words. So often when teachers teach about 'words' it is all about building vocabulary and root words. Or we show discrete examples of similes and alliteration - terms to memorize. Here is an OUTSTANDING story full of wonderful characters, a powerful message - and rich, exciting, tasty words. I am presently using this book as a classroom novel in all my classes. The response to this book is fantastic! Students can't get enough of it. They want to read more, talk more, discuss characters and issues, act it out... Amazing! Because of the use of similes, metaphors, alliteration, and so on - this book is a great way for my class to review for State testing and loving it.

I've never cried and laughed so much in the space of so few pages. Ms. Joseph has captured the heart of a writer in Ana Maria's lush, colorful words flung against the backdrop of the Dominican Republic. I have no critique or summary, only gratitude. This book wounded me sweetly.

After travelling to the Dominican Republic, my mother bought me this book for Christmas. Of course it's for a younger audience, but none the less I enjoyed it thoroughly! It may be surprising to some, but it is quite an accurate depiction of typical Dominican life in some respects. The desire for the simple things, and the longing for some hope for tomorrow affects so many families in the Dominican. Many issues that plague this country, such as marriage and the family-unit, alcohol consumption, gambling, employment, and economics surround this story. But amongst the struggles, you see the love of a family, finding simple beauties that we as Americans tend to forget. You see into this little girl's heart as you experience the sites and sounds of the Dominican that she SO accurately describes! I can feel, taste and see all that I experienced just by reading this book.

When I first looked for books that might be interesting to read. I would have to admit that at first glance I liked the book, because of its colorful cover, but then I went on to read the reviews and thought it a great idea to buy the book. I believe that it has been the best investment I have made in my life. I didn't like it...I LOVED IT. Its the type of book you hate to put down till your done with it, and the type you can relate to...I was born in the United States but am of Dominican origin and can truely say that this book captures what so many Dominicans have lived through the years. There have been heard times in the Domincan Republic but, but also great times. For there is nothing greater then the way Domincian families just stick together and this book gives a perfect example of how close people are in the Dominican Republic as if everyone was family. The way the author indents the spanish words that seem so familiar to me....and the way she uses quotations makes the book so easy to read. Most of all though its the detail the life experiences she explains in the book, the setting, and the loves shown throughout the book that makes it so great. So great that while reading the book it wrapped me up so much into itself. That I ended up crying not of dissapointment but of how good the book was. On how much I could relate to it from my life experience as a Dominincan girl but also as family experiences. When i suggested it to my friend and cousins they too cried of great joy for the book also wrapped them into its pages its words, but most of all into the life it had captured between the pages. I would recommend this book to anyone...For its the best book I have read so far....So if you haven't read it.....GO and READ IT NOW.....DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT BOOK....FOR IF YOU DO YOU'LL REGRET IT.

This book is a winner in every way. Readers will learn why it is important to stand up for what is right, to band together to fight unjust and unethical situations, and the power of the written word. Ana Rosa is a really neat kid who cares deeply about her family and about social justice. When the chips are down she takes action. I am not from the Dominican Republic (nor is the author, though her husband is and she lives there) and I would be interested to read what a native person thinks of this book. As an American it made me angry to read first hand about the impact of our tourist industry upon cultures that are so poor they can't afford paper to write upon. I was uplifted and inspired by the close family ties and support of this family who were financially impoverished, but enriched beyond belief in human values and compassion. This is one of those books where you can learn something about another culture while at the same time, being entertained by a really good story. I think Lynn Joseph was careful with her words in crafting the story. Ana Rosa was even a bit rebellious and "different," but her family stood behind her. Great book. Great boy characters and girl characters -- all kids who dream to be activists would enjoy this story.